Students in this  major at  may intend to work in organizations as directors, managers, or owners. This concentration includes coursework in finance, management, marketing, public policy, professional communication, and leadership. This concentration is also appropriate for students preparing for careers in legal services, such as lawyers or politicians, as well as director positions and other leadership positions in the human services sector. Students in this concentration may choose to pursue additional credentials in leadership, business and entrepreneurship. 

Potential Occupations

Graduates with a major in HDFS are prepared to work in a range of human service sector settings including youth services organizations; early childhood, elementary, adolescent, and parent education programs; health care settings; juvenile and adult corrections and criminal justice; family and community services; and programs serving older adults, including long-term care facilities. Students interested in teaching human development and family studies content at the secondary level should explore the interdepartmental major in Family and Consumer Sciences, Education Concentration. HDFS graduates are also well prepared to pursue graduate degrees in mental health, behavioral and social sciences, education, health and medicine, or other professional programs.

Some examples of career opportunities with a bachelor's degree in HDFS include, but are not limited to: early childhood administrator and teacher, adult recreation programmer, administrator in adult and aging facilities, career development specialist, family services specialist, human development specialist, adult education teacher, human resources coordinator, youth agency administrator, community outreach worker, women’s program administrator, youth intervention and prevention program administrator, youth employment, training, and development specialist, parent educator, children-family educator, child protection worker, family assistance worker, program administrator, public relations specialist, youth services worker, case manager, nonprofit agency administrator, and residential center manager.